BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Brand new! The High Desert Food Trail, created by the High Desert Food and Farm Alliance (HDFFA), is excited to announce a brand new edition and map, complete with new foodie events, delicious culinary businesses and self-guided itineraries to follow.
The High Desert Food Trail is a collaboration with Travel Oregon and Visit Central Oregon as part of the Oregon Food Trails Program, celebrating the farms, restaurants, cafes, breweries, distilleries and culinary experiences of Central Oregon so you can taste your way through the region and have exciting, unique experiences on the region’s farms.
Central Oregon is known for its outdoor adventures, and one of the best ways to connect with the landscape is through food.
The High Desert Food Trail offers visitors and locals alike the opportunity to experience the culinary and agro-tourism offerings that make this region so unique. The trail passes 48 businesses, including farms, ranches, restaurants, farmers markets, artisan food and beverage producers, and lodging. All of these stops on your journey will help you learn about the diverse businesses, landscapes, and cultures of the high desert.
Visitors to the trail can choose their own path or follow one of three highlighted themes and routes – stunning landscapes, arts and crafts and resilient agriculture. Visit hdffa.org/hdft to download the full trail map in English and Spanish and explore an interactive map of businesses along the trail at hdffa.org/hdft-businesses.
One of the most exciting aspects of the HDFT is showcasing businesses sourcing, selling and collaborating with each other. You’ll find local produce in markets and on menus across the region.
For example, Deschutes Produce, like many others, has its own farm shop, but also sells its products at Central Oregon Locavore, The Stand, Well Rooted Farmss, Bend Farmers Market and others. Funky Fauna Artisan Ales, Lazy Z Ranch and Bonta Gelato all use farm-fresh lavender from Tumalo Lavender to give their products a local flavor. Arome, an artisan market specializing in teas, spices and wines, partners with local producers and businesses to offer classes—like the recent cooking class with Schilling’s Garden Market on how to make summer mocktails and salads.
The stories of our local food system can be found along the High Desert Food Trail and throughout Central Oregon.
While the trail is accessible year-round, some establishments are only open to the public seasonally. Now that the summer season is in full swing, it’s a great time to check out one of these routes and explore these self-guided journeys at your own pace. Follow the routes of the High Desert Food Trail by watching these video posts on YouTube.
Learn more about the High Desert Food Trail and find your adventure at hdffa.org/hdft. Brochures can also be found at Welcome Centers throughout the state, at participating High Desert Food Trail businesses, and at HDFFA booths at farmers markets during the summer season.
This project is funded by the USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program grant (Grant #2020-70017-32426) from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture with support from the Oregon Food Trails program, Visit Central Oregon, Travel Oregon Wine Country License Plate program, and our sponsors Bonta Gelato, Brasada Ranch, and The Old Mill District.
